RTFC clearing 21-acres for $12 million emergency response complex

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Assistant Fire Chief Chris Nelson with the Refinery Terminal Fire Company (left) hands a shovel to fire company CEO Lonnie Bartlett on Tuesday as they get ready to turn dirt for a ceremonial groundbreaking of the company’s new fire station on McBride Lane in Corpus Christi.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

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Board president Joe Almaraz with Valero (left) and board senior vice president Tony Alejandro with the Port of Corpus Christi look over the site as dirt work continues Tuesday following a ceremonial groundbreaking of the Refinery Terminal Fire Company’s new fire station on McBride Lane in Corpus Christi.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times
Fire fighters wait with a pile of shovels for dignitaries to arrive Tuesday before a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Terminal Refinery Fire Company’s new fire station on McBride Lane in Corpus Christi.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times
Fire Chief John Lowe (from left) Dave Pruner with Citgo, Lonnie Bartlett, CEO of the Refinery Terminal Fire Company, Tony Alejandro with the Port of Corpus Christi, Joe Almaraz with Valero and Damien Forneris with NuStar turn Tuesday during a ceremonial groundbreaking of the company’s new fire station on McBride Lane in Corpus Christi.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times
Damien Forneris (from left), Tony Alejandro and Dave Pruner look over the rendering of the new Refinery Terminal Fire Company’s new station Tuesday before a ceremonial groundbreaking on McBride Lane in Corpus Christi.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times
A rendering shows what the new Refinery Terminal Fire Company’s new station will look like Tuesday before a ceremonial groundbreaking on McBride Lane in Corpus Christi.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times
Lonnie Bartlett, CEO of the Refinery Terminal Fire Company (left), thanks supporters for attending as Tony Alejandro with the Port of Corpus Christi looks on Tuesday during a ceremonial groundbreaking of the company’s new fire station on McBride Lane in Corpus Christi.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times
Work has already begun Tuesday on the new Refinery Terminal Fire Company station on McBride Lane in Corpus Christi.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

CORPUS CHRISTI - Refinery Terminal Fire Co. started April 6, 1948, with a 20-foot-wide Quonset hut, one full-time firefighter, one firetruck and a few foam machines.